Access Copyright – Call for Board Directors

Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Part time

Job summary

A Canadian copyright licensing agency is seeking a Board Director to ensure fair compensation for creators and publishers. The ideal candidate will have strategic thinking abilities and a strong understanding of copyright laws. This is a volunteer position with the opportunity to influence the creative economy while serving on a dynamic Board. Remote attendance is allowed for meetings, though in-person participation in Toronto is encouraged.

Benefits

Small honorarium

Qualifications

• Passion for fair compensation for creators and publishers.
• Sensitivity towards challenges faced by content users.
• Adept at strategic and lateral thinking.

Responsibilities

• Ensure fair compensation for creators and publishers.
• Guide senior management in executing the strategic plan.
• Attend Board meetings and participate in discussions.

Skills

Interest in creator and publishing world

Knowledge of basic financial practices

Experience as a Board Director

Understanding of copyright and laws

Work experience in publishing or visual arts

Skills in communication and negotiation

Job description

Access Copyright has a rewarding opportunity for individuals looking to contribute to Canada’s creative economy in a Board Director capacity.

Our vision is a world where copyright and creative work are respected and valued.Founded in 1988, Access Copyright makes it easy for users to share content responsibly, collects payment for this use and distributes the royalties we generate to creators and publishers. This leads to the creation of new works that contribute to Canadian culture and society. In total, we license the published works of more than 14,000 Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers, returning over $500 million in royalties to the creative ecosystem.

Access Copyright is a non-profit organization, and Board directors serve on a volunteer basis and receive a small honorarium on a semi-annual basis.

Why serving on the Access Copyright Board is right for you

Being an Access Copyright Board Director means you play a role in ensuring creators and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their works in an increasingly digitally connected world. It also means joining a dynamic group of professional leaders from the worlds of academia, marketing, publishing, writing and visual arts.

Directors will ensure Access Copyright is able to execute a new strategic plan to re-envision the organization’s role. This includes acting as a key service provider to Canada’s creator and publisher communities as well as to all those who use copyright protected material for education, training and other purposes, and also make high-level decisions and provide guidance to senior management.

The Access Copyright Board meets quarterly. While Directors are encouraged to attend the Board meetings in person (Toronto) as often as possible, it is possible to attend the meetings virtually. Directors are also expected to attend the Access Copyright Annual General Meeting which is held virtually. Additionally, directors serving on a committee(s) can also expect to meet virtually quarterly.

Additional Board and committee meetings may be called, as required, throughout the year with as much advance notice as possible.

If you have the passion, perspective and experience to contribute to Access Copyright, our Nominating Committee wants to hear from you.

No matter what your experience may be, if the thought of serving on Access Copyright’s Board interests and energizes you, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity.

As a Board Director you are :

• Interested in the current changes occurring in the creator and publishing world, including technology and digital issues as well as artificial intelligence;
• Passionate about creators and publishers being fairly compensated while also being sensitive to and knowledgeable about the challenges and needs of content users;
• Adept at both strategic and lateral thinking.

It would be great if you have any or all of the following skills :

• Knowledge of basic financial and investment practices for businesses;
• Previous experience as a Board Director;
• An understanding of copyright, and the current legislative and political environment;
• Knowledge of licensing and contracts, and how copyright collectives work;
• Work experience in Canada’s newspaper, magazine, book publishing, writing or visual arts sectors;
• Experience in B2B sales and marketing, partnerships, or PR; product marketing, and business development;
• Demonstrated skills in communications, negotiation, advocacy, lobbying, problem solving, policy making and risk assessment;
• Residency in Atlantic Canada.

Access Copyright strives to be an inclusive and safe space for all, and to accurately reflect the diversity of the various stakeholders that we serve. We strongly encourage expressions of interest from people who are members of marginalized and / or underserved / underrepresented communities, especially individuals who identify with : First Nations, Metis, or Inuit, or people of colour; diverse gender and sexual identities (including LGBTQ2+); people living with dis / ability, etc.

How to Apply

We thank everyone for their interest but only those selected for an interview by the Nominating Committee will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short assignment prior to an interview. The Committee will also conduct a reference check for shortlisted candidates.

Candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee as director candidates to the Board for a three-year term must be approved by Access Copyright’s membership at its 2025 Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2026.

Access Copyright is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, kindly let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.